Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Holbroe is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the region of Holbrook in Suffolk. The surname Holbroe originally referred to a "sunken stream"or "hollow brook", "brook in a hollow" in Old English. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4) "Holbrook is an ancient surname in the east of England. As Holebrok we find it six centuries ago in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Suffolk, and also in Northamptonshire. There are parishes, et c., named Holbrook in the counties of Derby, Warwick, Gloucester, Dorset, and Sussex." [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.

Holbroe Early Origins

The surname Holbroe was first found in Suffolk at Holbrook, a parish, in the incorporation and hundred of Samford or at Holbrook in Derbyshire, a chapelry, in the parish of Duffield, union of Belper, hundred of Appletree. Both locations are listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Holebroc [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) Literally, the place name means "hollow brook, brook in a hollow," from the Old English words "hol" + "broc." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4) "Holbrook Hall is a fine old mansion, surrounded with 300 acres of land" [4]CITATION[CLOSE]Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. built in the 17th century. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include some of the first entries for the family: William de Holebrok, Lincolnshire; Richard de Holebrokke, Suffolk; and Roger de Holebrokke, Nottinghamshire. [5]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) Kirby's Quest listed Isota Holebrok, in Somerset, temp. 1 Edward III. [6]CITATION[CLOSE]Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print. Later the YorkshirePoll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed William Holbroke. [5]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

Holbroe Spelling Variations

Holbroe Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Holbroe has been spelled many different ways, including Holbrook, Holbrow, Holbrooks, Holbroake and many more.

Holbroe Early History

Holbroe Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holbroe research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1189, 1622 and 1635 are included under the topic Early Holbroe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holbroe Early Notables (pre 1700)

Holbroe Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Holbroe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holbroe In Ireland

Holbroe In Ireland

Some of the Holbroe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Holbroes to arrive in North America: Thomas Holbrook settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1630; Charles Holbrick settled in Washington Maryland in 1798; Anne Holbrooke settled in Barbados in 1654.

Library of Congress. American and English Genealogies in the Library of Congress. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1967. Print.

Marcharn, Frederick George. A Constitutional History of Modern England 1485 to the Present. London: Harper and Brothers, 1960. Print.

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The Holbroe Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Holbroe Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.